Abdominal Pain in Adults
Posted by in 1408 on 14-01-2010
peterhutch asked:
The evaluation of abdominal pain requires an understanding of the possible mechanisms responsible for pain, a broad differential of common causes, and recognition of typical patterns and clinical presentations. All patients do not have classic presentations. Thus, unusual causes of abdominal pain must also be considered, especially in elderly and immuno compromised patients.
The differential diagnosis of generalized abdominal pain in adults is entirely different from that in children, with the caveat that children gradually progress from infancy to adulthood and so an adolescent is more an adult than a child. A colicky pain comes and goes or at least fluctuates in intensity. The patient may writhe about during the pain, seeking a comfortable position. The pain of peritonitis is constant and the patient lies still as movement aggravates the pain.
Acute abdominal pain can represent a spectrum of conditions from benign and self-limited disease to surgical emergencies. Evaluating abdominal pain requires an approach that relies on the likelihood of disease, patient history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. The location of pain is a useful starting point and will guide further evaluation. For example, right lower quadrant pain strongly suggests appendicitis.
Abdominal Pain in Adults Causes
1. Diseases people worry about most are appendicitis, gallbladder disease, ulcers, infections, and pregnancy associated problems.
2. Doctors also worry about the following conditions: ruptured blood vessels, heart attack, liver and pancreas inflammation, kidney stones, problems with the blood circulation to the intestine, diverticulitis, and other diseases.
Symptoms
The type of pain can vary greatly. When abdominal pain occurs, it can:
*Be sharp, dull, stabbing, cramp-like, twisting or fit many other descriptions
*Be brief, come and go in waves, or it can be constant
*Make you throw up (vomit)
The pain may take the form of cramps that come and go or it may be constant. It may feel like stabbing, aching, or burning in your abdomen. Pain may also spread to your back or chest. Sometimes the pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
Abdominal Pain in Adults Treatment
Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or other serious symptoms often gets better without special treatment.
If the pain persists or if the patient believes the pain may represent a serious problem, they should see their healthcare provider.
A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm water may ease the patient’s pain.
Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal capsules also may help.
Pain relief – your pain may not go away fully with painkillers but it should ease.
Fluids – you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel.
Medicines – for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting.
The evaluation of abdominal pain requires an understanding of the possible mechanisms responsible for pain, a broad differential of common causes, and recognition of typical patterns and clinical presentations. All patients do not have classic presentations. Thus, unusual causes of abdominal pain must also be considered, especially in elderly and immuno compromised patients.
The differential diagnosis of generalized abdominal pain in adults is entirely different from that in children, with the caveat that children gradually progress from infancy to adulthood and so an adolescent is more an adult than a child. A colicky pain comes and goes or at least fluctuates in intensity. The patient may writhe about during the pain, seeking a comfortable position. The pain of peritonitis is constant and the patient lies still as movement aggravates the pain.
Acute abdominal pain can represent a spectrum of conditions from benign and self-limited disease to surgical emergencies. Evaluating abdominal pain requires an approach that relies on the likelihood of disease, patient history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. The location of pain is a useful starting point and will guide further evaluation. For example, right lower quadrant pain strongly suggests appendicitis.
Abdominal Pain in Adults Causes
1. Diseases people worry about most are appendicitis, gallbladder disease, ulcers, infections, and pregnancy associated problems.
2. Doctors also worry about the following conditions: ruptured blood vessels, heart attack, liver and pancreas inflammation, kidney stones, problems with the blood circulation to the intestine, diverticulitis, and other diseases.
Symptoms
The type of pain can vary greatly. When abdominal pain occurs, it can:
*Be sharp, dull, stabbing, cramp-like, twisting or fit many other descriptions
*Be brief, come and go in waves, or it can be constant
*Make you throw up (vomit)
The pain may take the form of cramps that come and go or it may be constant. It may feel like stabbing, aching, or burning in your abdomen. Pain may also spread to your back or chest. Sometimes the pain may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
Abdominal Pain in Adults Treatment
Abdominal pain without fever, vomiting, vaginal bleeding, passing out, chest pain, or other serious symptoms often gets better without special treatment.
If the pain persists or if the patient believes the pain may represent a serious problem, they should see their healthcare provider.
A heating pad or soaking in a tub of warm water may ease the patient’s pain.
Over-the-counter antacids, such as Tums, Maalox, or Pepto-Bismol, also can reduce some types of abdominal pain. Activated charcoal capsules also may help.
Pain relief – your pain may not go away fully with painkillers but it should ease.
Fluids – you may have fluids given into a vein to correct fluid loss and rest your bowel.
Medicines – for example, you may be given something to stop you vomiting.
